Byron is poetry in motion with his Toulouse half-back partner

Apr 7 2008 South Wales Echo

FORMER All Blacks scrum-half Byron Kelleher has hailed his match-winning half-back partnership with French star Jean-Baptiste Elissalde after the duo helped Toulouse to dump Cardiff Blues out of the Heineken Cup.

Elissalde, normally an international scrum-half, switched effortlessly to the outside-half role for Toulouse as he kicked 18 points and controlled the game for the top French side.

And Kelleher was satisfied with the relationship with his new half-back partner as they became partners and not rivals for the Toulouse number nine shirt.

“Communication was a massive thing for us and Jean-Baptiste and I have have worked very hard on this all season,” said the New Zealander.

“And we were rewarded with this against Cardiff Blues, especially with the first-half drop goal.”

And Kelleher also believes Toulouse are slipping into top gear as they chase a fourth successful Heineken Cup trophy, setting up a semi-final clash against London Irish at Twickenham at the end of the month.

“It is fantastic for the Toulouse team to play some really good rugby and the local supporters to see what we are capable of,” he added.

“We are now reaching our peak and that is really exciting for the rest of the season.

“The Cardiff defence was very strong so we had to bide our time and be patient.

“We waited and we took our opportunities when they came up.”

Toulouse coach Guy Noves also believes his side are peaking at the right time. But he sent out a warning to his French side they have not won anything yet ahead of the clash with London Irish.

“We played some really good Toulousian rugby and we are getting back to what we are capable of and there is a lot of desire in this team,” said Noves, who recovered from an accident on Friday night which saw him airlifted to hospital after being knocked off his bicycle.

“We were really pleased with the result and the performance but what we have to remember it is just another step along the European road.

“It will mean nothing if we don’t reach the final and we now have a semi-final to prepare for.”